Gem(ini) turns 8

[I'm changing the kids' blog nicknames. Using their corresponding grade levels has been obsolete in my mind, for awhile. First = Gem(ini) and Kinder = Sag(ittarius).]

Gem turned 8 this week. Here are some pictures. (I took very few pictures during his party. I was too busy beaming and soaking in and floating around :-)

Thank you for celebrating him and supporting us as we raise him. From near and far. Every bit is felt and appreciated.

Gem opted for a small party this year and though I missed certain friends, it was a very mellow and low-key gathering. And, he was really happy.

The birthday banner Sag and I made which didn't make it up onto the wall until the morning after his birthday because I can be so damn forgetful.

The Ben 10 cakes. One was chocolate, the other yellow. Because Jay doesn't like chocolate :-)

I loved the golden hue of these GFCF cookies that Momoko baked. They were yummy.

We had delicious coconut CF ice cream at Julie and Mike's recently and Cap made a batch for the party. Gem requested that pineapple and lemon be added to the mix which resulted in a subtly sophisticated ice cream.

My mom was the sushi chef extraordinaire rolling maki after maki. Salmon, tunafish(with mayo), Tings, avocado, cucumber, shiso-umeboshi, olivada-cuke, fluke-shiso-ume...

Sag getting lost in the cakes and all that they promised.

Ellie and Baba amidst knees, legs and feet...

Auntie Sandy excited about cake :-) Loved her dress...

Lukas being a trooper and letting me snap a pic.

Auntie Lisa creating an oasis amidst the hubbub...

Ellie and Theo.

Lilja.

Cap and Theo. The boy keeps growing and growing!